Perfect Strangers
Bruce Dickinson and Dream Theater Lyrics

The lyrics to Bruce Dickinson and Dream Theater's song Perfect Strangers can be interpreted as a reflection on the nature of time and memory. The opening lines "Can you remember remember my name / As I flow through your life" suggest that the singer is a figure from the past, returning to remind the listener of their shared history. The following lines, "A thousand oceans I have flown / And cold spirits of ice," imply a sense of distance and detachment from the present moment, as if the singer has been journeying through time and space in order to reach the listener.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for connection and understanding between the singer and listener, even as they acknowledge the impossibility of truly bridging the gap between past and present. The lines "We must remain / Perfect strangers" suggest that despite their shared history, the singer and listener can never fully understand each other, and must instead accept their separation and continue on their own paths.

The verses are punctuated by a haunting refrain of "And if you hear me talking on the wind / You've got to understand / We must remain / Perfect strangers," which emphasizes the sense of isolation and longing in the lyrics. The final lines of the song, "Precious life (your tears are lost in / Falling rain)," suggest that the singer is grappling with mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence, adding a layer of melancholy to the song's already contemplative tone.